Bill Introduction
Raipur: Home Minister Vijay Sharma tabled the Chhattisgarh Freedom of Religion Bill in the state assembly on Thursday. The legislation targets forced conversions through coercion, inducement, fraud, or misinformation. Sources indicate discussion will follow before passage.
Deputy CM Arun Sao and Leader of Opposition Charan Das Mahant exchanged Chaitra Navratri greetings at the session's start. Mahant lamented no holiday for Hindu festivals, unlike in Parliament.
Opposition Protests
Congress lawmakers opposed the bill immediately. Mahant demanded referral to a select committee with retired Supreme Court and High Court judges plus cross-party MLAs. He cited similar laws in other states under Supreme Court scrutiny and urged caution to avoid social division.
Sharma countered that the Constitution empowers states to enact such laws. BJP MLA Ajay Chandrakar noted Congress itself passed a similar measure in Madhya Pradesh. Speaker Dharmalal Kaushik dismissed objections and allowed tabling.
Walkout Drama
Congress staged a walkout, boycotting proceedings. Sharma quipped it was "not a walkout but fleeing." The bill strengthens the 1968 Act, adopted from Madhya Pradesh post-state formation. It now covers digital and economic lures, approved by cabinet last week.
SIR Name Cuts Row
Zero Hour saw Mahant move an adjournment motion over 19 lakh names deleted from voter lists under Special Intensive Revision (SIR). Chandrakar called it an electoral, not public interest, issue. Uproar ensued with fierce side-taking.
Patel accused BJP of booth-level deletions. Kaushik rejected the motion as Election Commission turf. Congress trooped out amid slogan-shouting.
Doctor Shortage Sparks Debate
MLAs raised healthcare gaps. Sunil Sony highlighted Bhatagaon centre: five sanctioned doctors, only one present. Chandrakar joked the rest were watching Dhurdhoor Part 2, returning post-film.
Bhulan Singh Marawi questioned Surajpur hospital staffing. Health Minister Shyam Bihari Jaiswal claimed 14 of 16 regular posts filled, plus seven NHM doctors. Marawi disputed, alleging six on PG study, one suspended—leaving seven. Kaushik flagged ghost postings via attachments.
Jaiswal promised priority recruitment.
Bravery Awards Push
Sitapur MLA Ram Kumar Toppo, a former soldier and medal recipient, sought better facilities for gallantry awardees. Sharma detailed benefits: Rs 6,000 monthly lifelong for President's Police Medal and Police Medal; Rs 1,500 for state Shourya Padak. Param Vir Chakra gets Rs 20,000, Maha Vir Rs 10,000.
Toppo pressed for land, jobs, bus perks, health, education aid. Sharma assured review, including railway passes and tax exemptions, and invited Toppo's input.
Ayushman Irregularity Claims
Kunwar Singh Nishad alleged incentive money diverted to doctors' accounts at Arjunda centre under duress. Jaiswal said a probe found no financial irregularity; it was a wrong entry, reversed at district level. No FIR, he added.
Nishad and Devendra Yadav demanded fresh probe and FIR. Jaiswal stood firm: no payment occurred.
Looking Ahead
The bill heads to debate next session day. Tensions signal deeper political divides ahead of polls. Healthcare and voter issues linger, with government pledging action. This public interest story underscores Chhattisgarh's latest news today, tracking India news update from English news portal India.
